If Earthlings are ever going to colonise Mars, they won’t be able to do so on an empty stomach — and Temidayo Oniosun thinks a helping of Egusi soup, a Nigerian staple, might just hit the spot.

Space in Africa, the Lagos-based firm Oniosun founded, is expecting its Egusi melon seeds to splash down in the Pacific Ocean Saturday — fresh from a trip to the International Space Station.

Once Earthside, experiments will begin on what is being hailed as the first food native to West Africa to be sent to space.

As Oniosun told AFP on Friday, it could herald an era where space exploration reflects the planet’s diversity.

“When we talk about humans colonising other planets, this is not just an American mission or a European mission — this is a global mission,” he told AFP.

And future African space explorers might enjoy a taste of home.

Experiments on extraterrestrial food, which is to say, tested in space, have been going on for years.

Growing food in space is seen as a crucial part of long-distance space flight and long-term missions, where frequent resupply won’t be feasible.

– International tests –

Scientists at the University of Florida in the United States and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan, will examine the seeds “to see the effects of exposure to space” and zero gravity, including on the seeds’ DNA.

Once planted, researchers will monitor their post-space performance and germination.

The seeds went up to the ISS on a SpaceX Flight last week, as part of NASA’s partnership with private firms.

Oniosun said the inclusion of Egusi seeds marked an important step forward, both for those on Earth as well as future astronauts.

High in protein, they are typically used to prepare soups and stews across West and Central Africa.

Africa’s most populous country has a small space industry, but the launch of the seeds seemed to generate more excitement on social media and in newspapers than previous launches of Nigerian satellites, he said.

“The moment that we’re sending food that they love, a food that holds significant cultural contexts to Nigeria… everybody starts getting interested in the subject,” Oniosun told AFP.

“The launch of Egusi melon seeds into space is more than a symbolic gesture,” he added.

“The future of humanity among the stars must reflect the diversity and richness of life on Earth.”

Whether pounded yams — the key dish served alongside Egusi soup — will make its way to the final frontier remains to be seen.

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The late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, was on Friday laid to rest amid funfair at the St Peter’s Cathedral Church, Aremo, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Governor Seyi Makinde, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede (represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Mechanised Division, Maj Gen Obina Onubogwu), and other notable Nigerians paid glowing tributes to the 43rd Olubadan, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025.

The late monarch, who retired as a Major in the Nigerian Army, was accorded full military honours, including the presentation of the Nigerian flag and ceremonial gun salutes to mark his final departure.

In his sermon, the Archbishop of Ibadan Province and Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Most Rev’d Williams Aladekugbe, urged all mortals to be mindful of the lives they live.

Quoting copiously from 2 Corinthians 5:10, the cleric said, “Let us be careful about the lives we live, and be wary of judging others, especially when you don’t have all the facts. Take heed that you don’t spend your today in a way that may ruin your tomorrow. Remember that all of us will give account to our Creator.”

He, however, criticised politicians seeking a single term in the 2027 elections, describing the move as a scam.

Aladekugbe, who described such aspirants as desperate politicians, lamented that some were already focused on 2027 while hardship in the country persisted.

“Any politician bargaining for only one single term is showing desperation — and it will not work in Nigeria.

“It is also desperation when leaders are seen carrying plates and serving food at parties. All of these will never work”, he said.

He expressed concern that while the government claimed to have stabilised the economy, increases in telecommunications tariffs at a time of skyrocketing prices and deepening poverty signalled insensitivity and a disconnect from the masses.

“To talk about 2027 now is a disgrace to governance. It’s an abuse of the people’s mandate and a reckless disregard for the concerns of the people,” he added.

Aladekugbe urged elected officials to focus on governance, security, and the welfare of citizens rather than political intrigues.

He lamented that insecurity had worsened, with lives being lost daily to banditry, herdsmen attacks, and other violent crimes, calling on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to “rise to the occasion and stop the killings.”

The cleric described the late Olubadan as “a leader of grace with a heart full of compassion,” adding that during his reign, Ibadanland enjoyed peaceful coexistence, unprecedented development, and transformation of its traditional institutions.

Also in attendance were the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor, Ahmed Gbadamosi; former Minister of Steel and Power, Wole Oyelese; Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South), Taofeek Arapaja; members of the Olubadan-in-Council led by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes led by President-General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole; Mogajis (family heads); Baales; military personnel; and operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), among others.

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The Nigerian Air Force, under Operation Hadin Kai, on Friday foiled a terrorist attack on troops in Rann, Borno State, through coordinated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and air interdiction missions.

According to the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in a statement on Friday, the operation was carried out in the early hours of August 8, following credible intelligence.

He said the air component established contact with ground forces, identified clusters of fleeing insurgents, and engaged them with precision munitions, neutralising several.

Ejodame added that the swift response restored calm to the area, reaffirming the force’s commitment to providing close air support, safeguarding troops, and rapidly neutralising insurgent threats.

The statement read, ”In the early hours of 8 August 2025, the Nigerian Air Force, under Operation Hadin Kai, successfully foiled a terrorist assault on troops in Rann, Borno State, through coordinated Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Air Interdiction missions.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the OPHK Air Component established contact with ground forces, identified clusters of fleeing insurgents, and engaged them with precision munitions, neutralising several in the process.

“The swift and decisive action restored calm to the area, underscoring the NAF’s unwavering commitment to providing close air support, safeguarding troops, and rapidly neutralising insurgent threats.”

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